Dedication Ceremony

Maryland's New Forensic Medical Center

On September 21, 2010 at 10 a.m., one of the nation’s largest standalone medical examiner facilities opens within the University of Maryland BioPark in downtown Baltimore.  This award-winning structure on the corner of Poppleton and Baltimore Streets provides Maryland citizens with a state-of-the-art facility that enables Maryland’s medical examiners to more efficiently and effectively determine cause and manner of death in an environment that promotes dignity and respect for the deceased, their families and their cultural and religious beliefs. 

The new Medical Center's important features include:

• The latest state of the art autopsy technology
• Higher bio-safety levels to investigate natural or intentional health threats
• A dedicated CT (Computed Tomography) scanner to assist in diagnosis

Additionally, the OCME serves as a major training for forensic pathologists

• OCME is the lone source of accredited forensic pathology training for MD and D.C.
• The Center’s state of the art features are designed to enhance learning
• Educational partnerships are augmented with regional medical schools, especially the nearby University of Maryland School of Medicine

The Building and its Impact

The Forensic Medical Center is an important component of the University of Maryland  BioPark, a cornerstone of the redevelopment of Baltimore's west side. The UM BioPark is projected to bring 3,000 jobs and one billion in capital investments to West Baltimore.   

In keeping with Governor Martin O'Malley's statewide energy initiatives, a number of' ‘green’ energy efficiencies have been incorporated into the Forensic Medical Center's design. Among them is a curtain wall system that uses low E (Low Emissivity) glass with argon gas, a feature that can be up to three times more energy efficient than standard single-glazed glass.

First in History - National and World Leader

Maryland’s OCME was the first established statewide medical examiner system in the country and is a world-renowned leader in the field of forensic pathology.  The OCME  investigates all deaths in Maryland that occur by violence, suicide, casualty or any other suspicious or unusual manner, and any sudden death if unattended by a physician or if the deceased previously was in apparent good health.  Along with its critical role in helping to solve murders, medical examiners also study the causes of unexpected deaths to determine if previously unidentified trends or possible contagious diseases pose a threat to the health of all Marylanders.